Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
She’s been keeping him supplied with bread and muffins, and he loves it. Lainey reminds me of Suki in many ways—she loves caring for people. My kitchen is finally being used by someone other than my chef. Lainey loves my oven, and I love seeing her wearing an apron. One of these days, she’s going to give in to my requests that she wear an apron and nothing else while she’s baking. I fantasize when I’m traveling about bending her over the island and holding onto the bow at her back while I ravage her.
Not while River’s here, though. Hell, I probably won’t even let Bruce be around for it. No one wants to watch their mom get plowed.
“I’m gonna make a veggie sandwich with that bread and then Bruce and I are going to have massage time,” River says.
I groan. “You’re gonna massage his prostate again, aren’t you?”
Laney gapes at me but says nothing. River just grins.
“Yeah, man. Full body. He’s not getting his rocks off; it’s to improve blood flow to his prostate.”
I look at Bruce, who cocks his head. “Right, but I’m never going near his prostate. You walk him three times a day, feed him a raw diet, take him on hikes, and rub his prostate. Which, let’s be honest—he probably enjoys it. He probably wishes you were his real dad.”
River and Lainey both laugh, but this really is one of my fears.
“He’s actually not a big fan of having his bunghole penetrated. It took us time to build up the trust for it. And he hates it when I brush his teeth and make him take his vitamins.”
I sigh heavily. “Just don’t get my dog off, okay? Please?”
“No worries, brother. I’m just here to holistically help his body and spirit.”
I don’t even know how to respond to that. Thankfully, Lainey saves me from having to.
“Hey, we need to go,” she says.
We both pet Bruce before leaving, and he still wags his tail and licks my face, so he must still love me. This must be what it feels like for parents to leave their kids with a nanny.
I glance over at Lainey’s beat-up old Camry as I back my truck out of the garage, thinking about the Christmas gift I just ordered for her.
It’s a brand-new BMW X5, and I ordered it early because it’s getting a custom dark-purple paint job. It’s so dark it’s almost black, and the interior is black leather. I know she’s going to flip.
If I’d asked her if I could buy her a new car, she would have refused. This way, it’ll already be here and she can’t say no.
Lainey deserves every luxury. Once we had the talk, and I asked her to stay with me after this semester if at all possible, she decided to start working on her doctorate. She found a program through Cleveland Clinic where she could work on her doctorate part-time while also researching. Helping Professor Carr with his classes has sparked a love of teaching in her.
For the first time, I’m hoping I don’t make the all-star team. I’m not expecting to because Isaac and Carter are having once-in-a-lifetime seasons this year. If I don’t, Lainey and I are taking a six-day trip to Fiji. Six days and nights of nothing but the two of us would be paradise no matter where we were, but we’ll still make the most of our time in a little hut built over sparkling turquoise water.
I’m planning to propose on the trip. It’s soon, but also not soon enough. Being with Lainey feels like an unlocking of sorts. All the clicks and slides fell into place and something inside me opened for the first time. I never knew what people meant when they said, “When you know, you know.” Until I knew. Then I got it.
This is what it means to feel complete. I don’t have any doubts. Lainey is my one and only.
When we arrive at Carter and Suki’s house, the front yard has been decorated with lights, smoke machines and animatronic monsters. There’s even Halloween music playing in the front yard.
Inside, the lights are dimmed and every room on the main level is decorated. There are fake spiderwebs and bats hanging from the ceiling and fake skeletons wearing hockey gear in corners.
A coffin in the dining room is open, the inside filled with an assortment of snacks. There’s a fake head in the center of the dining table, its eyes following me wherever I move.
A guy dressed as a vampire comes up to us with a tray of drinks. It takes us a few seconds to figure out that it’s Aden, Harry’s boyfriend.
“Hey, man. Good to see you again,” I say.
“Would you like some fresh blood?” he offers, gesturing to his tray.
“Yum.” Lainey grabs a glass and takes a sip, looking at me. “Red wine.”